Proclamation Order No. 353




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ Proclamation Order No. 353, August 9, 2000 ] DECLARING SEPTEMBER 7, 2000 AS “KOREAN WAR VETERANS OF THE PHILIPPINES MEMORIAL DAY” WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 573 dated September 7, 1950 with short title as the “Philippine Military Aid to the United Nations Act” was the basis for sending the Philippine Army battalion combat teams (BCTs), namely the 10th, 20th, 19th, 14th and 2nd BCT to the Korean War as contingents of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK); WHEREAS, the five (5) contingents of PEFTOK served in the Korean War from September 1950 to May 1955 with distinctive honor and acclaim for the valor and gallantry in action of the Filipino soldiers; WHEREAS, support groups that also served in the Korean War were the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Red Cross, Philippine movie actors and actresses who served to entertain the troops, and the newspaper reporters who covered activities and combat operations which were published in various national publications. Since they all had braved the hazards of serving with PEFTOK troops in the field, they can also be recognized as Korean War veterans; WHEREAS, September 7, 2000 marks the 50th year from the enactment into law of Republic Act No. 573 which covers the “Philippine Military Aid to the United Nations Act”, said date provides a special day to be dedicated in honor and memory of the Filipino soldiers, men and women who served in the Korean War with indomitable courage, heroism and gallantry.1aшphi1 NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare September 7, 2000 as “Korean War Veterans of the Philippines Memorial Day”. In line with this Proclamation, all Korean War veterans of the Philippines and members of the support groups referred to herein shall collaborate with the PEFTOK Veterans Association, Inc. (PVAI) and give full support to all the activities to be undertaken during the celebration of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Day. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed. Done in the City of Manila, this 9Th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand. (Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA By the President: RONALDO B. ZAMORA Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation